We tried something new last week: We presented a problem (escalating property taxes for people on fixed incomes) followed by a solution (a program to defer tax increases until the home was sold).

Then we asked you for reactions, either by e-mail or on our Web site. If you’d like to read all of the responses, go to www.sunjournal.com, click “Our View” under the blog menu, then on the “Problem and solution” editorial published March 20.

Here’s a taste of the discussion on the Web:

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While lightly veiled, this is just another example of Maine’s war against middle-class Mainers, largely to pull off property theft and stop middle-class Mainers from being able to pass any of their accrued assets to their children.

This “lien nonsense” is a scam and theft in the making. You can bet your bottom cent if this passes, legislation will follow immediately proposing similar state property liens offered for purchasing meds, foods or infinite numbers of anything else. – Ron

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The taxes on property are driven by the cost of services and the cost of complying with federal and state mandates, but the Maine real estate market has another problem. The “value” of homes and property is growing much faster than a true economic model would normally warrant.

People with high incomes moving to Maine to retire, or to buy second homes, forces the price of the property to become unaffordable to locals, especially the young. We need to start taxing vacation property and second homes owned by out-of-state people at a higher rate. – Angler

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I’m on board with the others who argue against high taxes, for cuts in spending and for purging the welfare rolls of able-bodied people who are effectively stealing money from those who really need it. Get the government out of health care, micro-managing the schools and quit with the feel-good programs. Vote for TABOR. – No name

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We will never see a solution to the property tax problem until our lawmakers address the continued abuses of the services taxpayers pay for. Health care in this state is exorbitantly high, higher than any of our neighboring states. Many seniors go without medication (even with Part D) because they can’t afford the drugs and don’t “qualify” for assistance.

They are penalized for working hard, owning a home, etc., while able-bodied young people abuse the MaineCare system over and over. – Betty

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It’s the economy! That is the fundamental problem. Government spending at state and local levels is exceeding the growth of wages. Wages, despite minimum-wage laws, are dictated by economic growth.

When the fastest growing portion of wage growth is transfer payments from the government to the “wagon riders,” it is a sure sign of systemic failure in our economy.

Coming up with “gimmick” programs to hide that fundamental fact does nothing to solve the problem. – Kendra

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One of the problems is out-of-control spending, whether it be locally or at a state level. Retired Mainers do pay sales tax and other hidden taxes that are higher than those in many other states. How do you think they pay the wages for everyone at the doughnut shop when Maine’s minimum wage is higher than the national. It’s simple: Raise the price on coffee!

Here’s a solution: If you want to keep your home, pay your taxes. When you can no longer afford the home, sell it and use some of the proceeds to avoid living on a “fixed” income for the rest of your life. – Bob

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Maine must treat the disease, not the symptom. The disease is out-of-control spending. The symptom is very high property taxes, which are imposed to pay for the spending disease.

If the editorial staff is referring to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights as “risky,” one would wonder what is risky about limiting spending to the rate of inflation plus population growth? Perhaps it is risky to the bank accounts of public employees, who are paid very well and enjoy employee benefits much “richer” than most private-sector employees enjoy. Since when is fiscal restraint risky to the people who are left paying the tax bill? – Bob